It’s rare for a group of talented and successful individuals to exist symbiotically with no friction whatsoever, but for the Sanders family, that’s just the way they operate. Deion Sanders and his sons, Shedeur and Shilo, share an intrinsic bond that translates effortlessly to the football field. It’s no surprise that a playful jab from Shilo went down so well with his father, Prime.

Deion Sanders has been involved in two very public marriages at different points in his career. Both of which ended in divorce. These personal circumstances often have a significant impact on children, but for Deion’s children—Shilo, Shedeur, and Shelomi, born to his second wife, Pilar—the dynamics seem to remain strong. Deion has received both praise and cynicism for the way he works alongside his sons, but their supportive bond is evident in their every interaction.

A clip shared by Deion Sanders Jr. on his Well Off Media YouTube channel revealed a light-hearted, yet revealing, moment between Deion and Shilo from their days at Jackson State. During a casual conversation with a medical professional about advice for his leg, the professional commented, “On October 19th, 2021, Coach Prime’s life changed.”

This was about the three surgeries Deion had undergone on his leg. Eavesdropping on this, Shilo, with a touch of humor, asked, “His life or his lady?” A subtle but scathing remark, which Prime took in stride. Prime’s separation from Pilar involved a stretched-out legal battle revolving around money and the custody of his kids. Both parents remain actively involved in matters about their kids. However, they do not quite look eye to eye which was evidenced during Colorado’s senior day celebrations.

As Shilo and Shedeur took to Folsom Field one final time before graduating, an emotional Deion walked them out. The siblings naturally wanted their mom to be a part of their big day. So when Pilar came down from the stands, Coach Prime swiftly maneuvered his way out of the scene. Shilo even mentioned how convincing the two to pose for a picture together was akin to “World War 3″. So now that his collegiate career is over, pending a Bowl game, what’s next for Shilo?

Shilo Sanders’ yearning for a career in the pros may yet become a reality

The ‘Sanders’ name on the back of your jersey can often weigh heavy. While Shedeur has escaped his dad’s proverbial shadow, the same cannot be said for Shilo’s escapades. Shilo Sanders arguably got the short end of the stick when it came to his family’s athletic prowess. The safety often catches flak for not carrying the name on the back of his shirt as well as his brother Shedeur, let alone his father Deion.

With that said, there is increasing buzz around Shilo getting drafted despite his shortcomings. This has led many to speculate there is a pinch of nepotism angle at play. There may be some legs to this speculation, especially with the sensitive topic of nepotism being widely discussed in the wake of Bronny James’ inclusion at the Lakers. Deion hasn’t done his son any favors by thwarting this notion either. 

At a recent event, Prime was in attendance with Las Vegas Raiders’ HC Antonio Pierce. There, he outwardly said to Pierce, “I need you to draft those Sanders boys”. For the unversed, Shedeur has been heavily linked to the Raiders already. Deion’s remarks hinting at the two being sort of a packaged deal don’t bode well for Shilo’s prospects. He’ll seek to overcome the discourse surrounding him and push on for placement on the draft board come April.